Mac OS 9 Lives

Mac OS 9 Discussion => Hardware => Topic started by: efelman on January 02, 2024, 03:38:32 PM

Title: Keyboard issue
Post by: efelman on January 02, 2024, 03:38:32 PM

Hi
I have a G4 using system 9.2.2 and the computer seems to work but the keyboard doesn't.  I think it's a software problem, not the keyboard, since the same keyboard works with a second G4 I have.

Any suggestions as to why the computer can't "see" the keyboard?
Thanks

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: GaryN on January 02, 2024, 08:53:35 PM

The first and most likely reason is you are either missing or have a disabled Keyboard Extension.
As you said… software.

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: DieHard on January 03, 2024, 08:11:35 AM

2nd guess... bad USB port, are there other ports to try ?

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: Greystash on January 03, 2024, 01:47:40 PM

I was having USB issues recently with keyboards/mice either not working at all or disconnecting, and found the issue to be bad capacitors in my MDD PSU. After replacing it with an ATX PSU I'm not having any problems now

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: efelman on January 04, 2024, 04:46:23 PM

It doesn't seem to be a USB issue as the mouse works. 

If it's a bad keyboard extension, how do I install a working extension?  What folder would the extensions be in and can I just make a copy from another G4 and drop it into the folder?

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: aBc on January 04, 2024, 06:21:58 PM

Check Extensions Manager if the “Keyboard” Control Panel is On.
If no X… click it there and then restart… and try again.

(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6958.0;attach=13359;image)

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: efelman on January 05, 2024, 07:19:03 AM

Thanks!  I'll try it.

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: efelman on January 05, 2024, 01:26:38 PM

I looked at the Extnsions Manager-- Keyboard was checked.

I have 9.2.2 on a second G4; so assuming the problem is the Keyboard Extension, could I make a copy of it from the other computer and drop it into the Extensions Manager for this computer?

Thanks

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: aBc on January 05, 2024, 01:37:41 PM

Dratz!!!

Now falling back to DieHard’s idea of the possible USB port problem.

Is mouse plugged into the Keyboard, or separate USB port of its’ own?

Switch USB port that the keyboard is connected to.

AND maybe check - Apple System Profiler / Devices and Volumes… to see if anything is showing up there as connected. (USB 0 or USB 1).

What model# keyboard and what model Mac are you working with? ;)

Also: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2058753?sortBy=best

(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6958.0;attach=13361;image)

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: ovalking on January 06, 2024, 11:08:37 AM

I don't personally think the Keyboard control panel is at fault.
Perhaps some other extension is conflicting with it though.
You haven't specified the keyboard type, so we don't know if it needs any special software.

If you open Key Caps do any of the keys (including modifiers) appear to work?
Do the keys work at startup? e.g. Does holding down shift disable extensions? Does holding down space bring up the Extensions Manager?
If the answers are No & Yes, it seems like an extension conflict.

Does caps lock light work?

If all these tests fail, it seems like a hardware issue to me.

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: efelman on January 08, 2024, 02:46:40 PM

Thanks to you both for the responses. 

The Mac is an 800 Mz G4 PowerMac 4,2   The keyboard is an Apple A1243 (2007).  It works fine on a second G4 I have.

THE KEYS WORK AT STARTUP; holding down shift DOES disable extensions.  Holding down space DOES bring up the Extensions Manager.

The mouse is plugged into the Mac, not the keyboard.  I've tried all 4 USB ports; the mouse works on all, not the keyboard.

The Apple System Profiler and it shows the mouse in USB 1; nothing in USB 0 or other USB ports

The Key Caps keys work.    The Caps lock light doesn't work.

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: aBc on January 08, 2024, 03:12:00 PM

Ahh the 2007 “chiclet” model - Apple A1243.

Had problems here with one on an MDD and
changed keyboards to an earlier model.

What Mac is your “second G4” one?
Try using a different keyboard? ;)

*Also try plugging the mouse into the keyboard
 to see if mouse will work through the keyboard.

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: efelman on January 08, 2024, 05:46:34 PM

Right now I just have this keyboard (A1243) for both.  Another real old keyboard died.

What older keyboard do you recommend?   I just bought an Apple A1048 Wired USB Keyboard on Ebay; do you think that will work?
Thanks

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: aBc on January 08, 2024, 07:14:54 PM

Quote from: efelman on January 08, 2024, 05:46:34 PM

just bought an Apple A1048 on Ebay; do you think that will work?

Yup.

800 Mz G4 PowerMac 4,2 (Flat Panel?)
Didn’t these ship with A1048 keyboards?

All A1048 in use here with MDDs & Quicksilvers.

Just tested one with a 733 MHz Digital Audio.
Zero problems. clack-aclack-clack-aclack-clack! ;)

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: efelman on January 08, 2024, 07:37:45 PM

Great.  Thanks.

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: ovalking on January 09, 2024, 02:34:40 AM

>The Apple System Profiler and it shows the mouse in USB 1; nothing in USB 0 or other USB ports
>The Key Caps keys work.

Your symptoms make no sense to me, so I'm out of ideas.

I tried an A1048 on a G4 800 iMac. It appeared to work fine.

Title: Re: Keyboard issue
Post by: efelman on January 10, 2024, 09:55:59 AM

Thanks.  Haven't received it yet but hopefully it'll work.